FHP report released about crash that killed unborn baby

Feb. 27, 2013

Special to news-press.com

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news-press.com / winknews.com

For the first time, WINK News is learning what happened during a crash involving a Florida Highway Patrol trooper's car and another car. It happened on I-75, south of Colonial Boulevard almost two weeks ago, killing an unborn baby.

The mother involved in the crash, Crystal McClure, is still at Lee Memorial Hospital in fair condition. The official crash report from the Florida Highway Patrol says Trooper Gustavo Reyes operated his motor vehicle in a careless or negligent manner after he failed to see a SUV in front of him on I-75. Reyes swerved to avoid it, but ended up hitting the SUV.

The report says Trooper Reyes' car ran into the left rear bumper of Christopher McClure's car causing McClure's car to roll several times, throwing he and his pregnant wife, Crystal, out of the car.

Crystal was 22 weeks pregnant and lost her child the next day. The couple's son Chris, one and a half years old, was also in the car and taken to the hospital. Both father and son are now home.

The Florida Highway Patrol said they're working on a more in depth investigation due to the severity of the injuries involved. The report adds Trooper Reyes was distracted by something unknown.

Trooper Reyes has not been placed on administrative leave or suspension and he has not been cited as of now but he is on desk duty pending the outcome of the investigation.